Solar-powered cold stores set up in Rohru

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 17

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, two solar-powered cold stores have been set up in Rohru, thanks to a collaboration between a German agency, GIZ, and the Chuwara Valley Apple Society. Along with the cold stores, three hydropower water lifting pumps for irrigation have also been installed on pilot basis, providing renewable energy solutions and energy efficient technologies for apple value chain.

10MT, 20MT capacity

The cold stores have capacity of 10 MT and 20 MT. One store has already started functioning. A smart apple application will help track the temperature and moisture level in the store. — Dr Kavita Bhardwaj, Regional Coordinator, GIZ

The German agency has been running a ‘Green Innovation Centre’ project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in Chuwara valley since 2016-17. “The cold stores have capacity of 10 MT and 20 MT. One store has already started functioning,” said Dr Kavita Bhardwaj, regional coordinator of GIZ. “A smart apple application will help track the temperature and moisture level in the store,” she stated.

Kushal Singh Mehta, HDO, Horticulture, said besides these technological interventions, the agency had been working on almost every aspect of apple growing to enhance productivity and profit, in Rohru and other apple growing areas. “From providing training in farm practices, like pruning and nutrition, the agency even arranged an exposure trip to select farmers to New Zealand,” he said.

Sanjeev Thakur of the Chuwara Valley Apple Society said, “We all know how important sustainable and affordable cold stores are for growers to get good remuneration for their produce. This August, we saw how market crashed. We are aiming to build several stores in the coming years to provide storage to each and every member of our society. If the government provides subsidy to set up small cold stores to local farmers, instead of offering it to big corporate houses, it will benefit the apple industry and growers a lot more,” he added.